The Haunted House

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 23

The Haunted House

A GHOSTLY CRY AND ITS CAUSE

Everything was dark and silent, and the moon threw ghostly shadows around an old mansion, that stood in a dark wood. A low moaning wind' howled and cried along the dark, lonely corridors and rooms. Cobwebs which, caught by the pale moonbeams, looked like white ghost draping, tapestried the walls. All was very quiet, until tho silence was awakened by a rattling of chains which sent cold shivers up one’s spine. Now and again from the darkness came a low moan, and then the bang of a door. The old ruin was a haunt for spirits of longforgotten lords and ladles. The uncanny silence w’as broken again, this time by a low murmur of voices. Then two shadows of men

could be seen moving slowly up the weed-covered drive. One was a short, stubby man with large, terror-filled eyes that darted all over the place, and the other a young man who stole fearlessly along. His companion started to stutter with fright. “I d-d-don’t like the 1-1-look of it, Joe.” “Well, don’t go back on your word, Jim. You promised that you would help me find the will,” whispered his friend. ‘‘l’ll stick to it, but I don’t 1-1-like it at all. It g-g-gives me the <sh Oh! d-d-did you see that w-w : window open and a f-face 1-1-look out?” “Where?” asked Joe. “I don’t see anything. I think your imagination is running away with you. Well, here we are. I’ll start with the rooms downstairs and you go upstairs. If you see anyone, just blow this whistle three times and I’ll come up, but I don’t think there will be anyone in this dreary hole.” “A-all right, Joe, but I don’t 1-like it, I d-don’t 1-1-like it at a-all,” stuttered Jim, as he proceeded gingerly up the dust-laden stairs. His big eyes' danced terrifiedly round the old walls and ceilings. At the top of the stairs he stopped short; gave one frightened yell, and came bounding down the stairs, blowing his whistle with .might and main. Joe came flying along the corridor and tripped over an old carpet in his hurry. “What in the name of fortune is the matter, Jim?” he asked breathlessly. “I saw a g-ghost. Oooh I It started to float to-to-towards me,” gasped out poor, terrified Jim, his eyes goggling like saucers. “Rot,” said Joe, “I suppose it was only cobwebs you s .” He didn’t finish, because a blood-curdling yell echoed and re-echoed through the old house. There followed a shrill cry of “Murder! Police! Murder!” and then another scream. Doors banged and chains rattled. By this time Joe was feeling cold shivers up and down his spine, whilst Jim was absolutely paralysed. Gradually Joe plucked up enough courage to creep up the stairs. Jim nearly fainted, but as he wasn’t going to be left behind in the dark hall, he climbed up after Joe. They both went up very quietly. The will was forgotten, and only the thought of somebody’s being murdered was in their minds. As they were crossing the landing a chain rattled in the room opposite to them. Both stood still. Jim was clutching Joe for grim death, waiting for the apparition to cbme out and seize him. Plucking up his courage, Joe went into the room. Jim went flying down the stairs. Joe, in the room, took one quick look, and burst out laughing. He had just begun to control himself when Jim’s frightened face peeped round the door, looking first at Joe and then at the cause of all the trouble —a green parrot, chained to a peg in the wall. A fat grin spread over Jim’s face as he began to understand everything. Then Polly chimed in with a saucy, “Ever been had, boys?” which set Joe off laughing again.-r-Written by Marjorie Kerr, Palmerston North. < i.. . ... ■ ■■■ 1